On the Texas coast, a garage door faces hurricane-season wind and salty air. Wash and inspect it every season, check the track and seals before June 1, and look it over after every storm. The Texas Department of Insurance says garage doors are especially vulnerable to wind, and coastal counties have extra inspection rules, so ask before replacing a door.
Wind is the first test
The Texas Department of Insurance says garage doors are especially vulnerable to high winds because of the long span of the opening and their relatively lightweight material. It lists two ways to strengthen one: replace the door and track with a system designed to withstand high winds and wind-borne debris, or use a tested and approved impact resistant covering.
The National Weather Service says hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and that a major hurricane has winds of 111 mph or higher. It also warns that signs, roofing material and other items left outside can become flying missiles, so clear the yard as well as the garage.
The coastal rules behind a new door
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association describes itself as an insurer of last resort for wind and hail, created by the Legislature in 1971. Its coverage area is 14 first-tier coastal counties, including Nueces, where Corpus Christi is, Galveston, and Jefferson, where Beaumont is. In Harris County it also includes the city of Pasadena for property east of Highway 146.
The Texas Department of Insurance says properties in that designated catastrophe area need an inspection and a certificate of compliance for most new construction, roof replacements and major repairs, and that garage doors in Texas must be tested to ASTM E 330. Rules vary by city and HOA, so check with your city building department and your insurance agent before you order a door.
Salt air and your hardware
Salt in the air attacks bare steel. One door maker that sells coastal doors calls the area within 1 mile of the ocean a critical area, says salt air corrodes steel doors, and offers fiberglass and aluminum doors and stainless steel or powder coated hardware and track as alternatives.
Whatever your door is made of, a seasonal look pays off: check for rust at the hinges, the bottom corners of the panels, the track brackets and the bolts, and touch up scratched paint when you see it.
What to check by season
| When | What to check | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before June 1 | Track bolts, hinges, rollers, bottom seal, window panes and the opener release. | Hurricane season starts June 1 |
| Storm forecast | Clear loose items, close the door fully and photograph the door. | Flying items damage doors and cars |
| After a storm | Look for a crooked section, new gaps, cracked glass and scraping. | Wind can bend a section or loosen a track |
| Every season | Rust at hinges and corners, seals and paint chips. | Salt air works on bare metal |
Springs and cables are not part of your own check.
Water, wind and the opener
If water reached the garage, keep the opener off until the outlet, the opener and the wiring have been checked. If the door took a hit from wind or debris, a technician should check the sections, hinges and track before the door is used again.
Do not run the opener on a crooked or scraping door, and do not adjust a spring or cable. See garage door repair and spring repair for what a technician checks. Damage from wind is also covered in hail damage to a garage door if the same storm brought both.
Repair, upgrade or replace
A single bent section or a worn roller is a repair. A door with many dented panels, a missing model or heavy rust is a sign to look at a new garage door. A quote should list each part and say what wind rating the door carries if you are in a coastal county.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Texas, including Corpus Christi, Galveston, Pasadena and Beaumont. Call or send your details with a photo and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
Do coastal Texas garage doors need to be wind rated?
Garage doors in Texas must be tested to ASTM E 330, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, and coastal counties add inspection rules. Ask your city building department what applies to your address.
Does salt air damage a garage door?
Yes, it can corrode bare steel. One manufacturer calls the area within 1 mile of the ocean critical and offers fiberglass, aluminum and stainless or powder coated parts as options.
When should I check my door before hurricane season?
Before June 1, the first day of the season according to the National Weather Service. Check the track, hinges, seals and opener release, and clear loose items from the yard.
Can I use the door after water got into the garage?
Keep the opener off until the outlet, opener and wiring have been checked. If the door is bent or scrapes, stop using it and call a technician.
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More guides
Sources
- National Weather Service: Hurricane safety (season dates, major hurricane wind speed, loose items)
- Texas Department of Insurance: Windstorm building FAQ (garage doors, high wind, ASTM E 330)
- Texas Department of Insurance: What you need to know about windstorm inspections (designated catastrophe area, certificate of compliance)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: Overview (the 14 first-tier coastal counties and the Harris County portion)
- Arm-R-Lite: Salt air corrosion and garage doors (manufacturer page on coastal corrosion and materials)